Supporting parents of children with cancer

The Namibia Childhood Cancer Parents Support Organisation (NaCCaPSO) launched an early detection campaign at the Central hospital in Windhoek on February 15. The aim is to help save thousand of children’s lives. The international Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) and the International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organisations (ICCPO) launched a targeted grassroots health advocacy campaign to better educate the public in recognising the early warning signs for childhood ca

12-year-old Beveriy Urises visits the Oncology Family Resource Centre during the times she is hospitalised. She described it as a very nice place to hang out.“I am happy, I am grateful because they tell me about Jesus and I am also happy to hear about the good things they tell us.” NaCCaPSO was started 2009 with an aim to help and support parents, guardians and caretakers for children with cancer. Amanda Solomon, the Chairperson for the organisation says; “we realised that when a child is diagnosed with cancer it affects the whole family. Now parents can have a support group so they don’t feel alone.” Solomon said their motto is parents taking hands, “together we are more powerful and we can move forward.” NaCCaPSO is not working working alone, it is in partnership with the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN).Solomon said their goal for 2012 is to build a safe playground for the children. “We would love them to go out of the building, catch some fresh air and play around like other children.” “We are planning to do a lot of public awareness campaign this year. We will print pamphlets and postcards to make people more aware so that we can really join hands together,” she said. Selma Hiskia Mwatotele Vice-Chairperson of NaCCaPSO, has been through the tragic journey of losing her child to cancer. “I had a toddler, Angela Mwatotele. We called her Angie, she was diagnosed with cancer on Christmas Eve in December 2007. She only survived for six months after her diagnosis, passing away on July 2 2008.“I could not believe it was really happening to me but I am grateful for all the help and support I received which helped me make it through the hard times. I am passionate about this group because we as parents, we go through a lot and one can not handle it, you can’t easily make peace with what is happening to you.” Mwatotele said support is needed from parents and families going through the same problem. The weekly meetings and talks with other affected parents helps one realise you are not the only one who is going through it,” she added.

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